30 November 2025

From Cayman Islands Government

Government teams continued coordinated containment and monitoring activities today, Sunday 30 November, following the confirmed detection of H5N1 Avian Influenza in a limited number of birds at a farm in West Bay. Samples collected from various birds on the farm tested positive for H5N1. All remaining poultry at the site have been removed, and all carcasses are being managed and disposed of in accordance with established public and animal health protocols. 

Routine surveillance and sampling continued today across farms and nearby areas, including checks by the Department of Agriculture. Teams are also responding to reports received from the public as part of standard monitoring procedures. These checks do not indicate any additional confirmed sites at this time. 

Out of an abundance of caution, additional sanitisation measures in some areas of West Bay. These steps are purely preventative and do not indicate a positive case at these locations. Vehicles and footwear are being disinfected before exiting the area in order to reduce the risk of spread. Members of the public are asked to follow all instructions at these points and to allow extra time if travelling through the area. 

Public Health has confirmed that there continue to be no human cases of H5N1 Avian Influenza in the Cayman Islands. Individuals who had direct involvement in initial response work have been tested and all results to date have been negative. The overall risk to the general public remains low. 

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hilary Wolf emphasised that human infection with H5N1 typically occurs only after close contact with infected birds or dead animals. “There is currently no indication of any human illnesses associated with this event,” she said. “We encourage the public to avoid touching sick or dead birds or animals, and to seek medical guidance if they develop symptoms following potential exposure.” 

Human symptoms may develop two to fourteen days after exposure and can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or congested nose, shortness of breath, or red, irritated eyes. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after possible exposure should contact Public Health at 244-2889, 244-2621 or 244-2561. 

As monitoring continues, the public is encouraged to be vigilant, follow safety advice, and report any concerns. Farmers are reminded to maintain strong biosecurity practices and to promptly report any suspected illness or dead fowl to the Department of Agriculture. 

Key guidance for the community: 

• Avoid contact with sick or dead birds or other animals. 
• Do not attempt to handle or cull wild chickens or birds yourself. 
• Report sick or dead birds or livestock to the Department of Agriculture at 916-7146. 
• Farmers should remain vigilant with farm-level biosecurity and report any suspected instances immediately. 
• Wash hands frequently, especially after outdoor activities or contact with animals. 
• Ensure all poultry is thoroughly cooked and that dairy products are pasteurised. 
• Seek medical attention if symptoms appear following possible exposure. 
• Follow only official government sources for updates and information. 

Further updates will be provided as operations progress.

END

Multi-Agency Response Follows Avian Flu Detection

29 November 2025

Multiple government agencies have been focused on containment and risk mitigation today, Saturday 29 November, following the detection of the H5N1 Avian Flu on Grand Cayman. Coordinated by Hazard Management Cayman Islands, strategic and tactical responses have been undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, Public Health Department, Department of Environment, Department of Environmental Health (DEH), Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), the Cayman Islands Regiment and a number of other agencies.

The Department of Agriculture (DoA) has begun the depopulation of birds within the impacted area and collected samples for testing by the Cayman Islands Laboratory, with results thus far as 7 positive additional cases. Special permission has been granted to DoA to cull feral birds at the site and the added area of observation. The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has received and contained carcasses of animals suspected to be contaminated and will dispose of them tomorrow Sunday, 30 November by incineration.

The Department of Environment is currently monitoring for birds that may be displaying symptoms of H5N1 Avian Flu. All agencies are taking the necessary precautions including wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), disinfecting before and after entering the cordoned areas. 

 “It is highly important that the public does not interact with sick birds during this period, and report any sightings of birds that show signs of sickness. The collaborative approach by our agencies to prevent an outbreak requires cooperation from the community to be vigilant, and to limit their own exposure”, said Director of Agriculture Wilbur Welcome.

As of 9pm today, there are still no confirmed cases of avian influenza in humans in the Cayman Islands. The public is reminded that symptoms of avian flu in humans usually start 4 to 6 days after being in contact with an infected bird.  Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and include high temperature, cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, wheezing and sneezing, shortness of breath, and red, irritated eyes (conjunctivitis).

The community is reminded that they should only trust reports from official sources and channels as the situation continues to develop. 

Key recommendations:

• Avoid contact with sick or dead animals: Do not touch infected poultry, wild birds, or mammals, or environments contaminated by their feces.
• Practice good hygiene: Wash hands frequently, especially after contact with animals or potentially contaminated surfaces.
• Ensure food safety: Consume only properly cooked poultry and pasteurised milk and dairy products, as thorough cooking (reaching internal temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius) and pasteurisation effectively kill the virus.  Ensure that juices from cooked meats are clear, not pink.  Refrain from consuming raw eggs.
• Seek medical attention if symptomatic: If you develop symptoms like fever, cough, or conjunctivitis after potential exposure to infected animals, contact the Public Health department at 244-2889, 244-2621 or 244-2561.

Updates on the situation will be provided to the public through official government channels. The public and especially concerned farmers or owners of birds/fowls are encouraged to contact the Department of Agriculture at 916-7146  with any concerns.

END

Avian Flu Detection on Farm in Grand Cayman

28 November 2025

The Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure and Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability have confirmed the detection of H5 avian flu in animals on a farm in Grand Cayman and are taking immediate coordinated action to address the situation. 

All relevant government agencies are urgently working with stakeholders to implement containment measures, conduct further assessment and prevent any spread. The health and safety of our community, livestock and environment remain our highest priority. Government is committed to transparency throughout this process and will provide regular updates as investigation and response efforts progress. 

Anyone with concerns or information related to this matter is encouraged to contact the Department of Agriculture at (345) 916-7146.

END

H5 Avian Flu Confirmed at West Bay Farm

28 November 2025

The Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure and Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability have confirmed a case of H5 avian flu in a single bird at a farm located on Cemetery Road in West Bay, Grand Cayman. The detection follows the discovery of a number of dead turkeys at the location.

Hazard Management Cayman Islands is coordinating a multi-agency response that includes the relevant ministries, Department of Agriculture, Public Health Department, Department of Environment, Department of Environmental Health (DEH), Royal Cayman Islands Police (RCIPS), Cayman Islands Regiment, among other entities.

Immediate containment measures are now underway, including the establishment of cordons around the affected farm that will be enforced by the RCIPS. Initial response actions include epidemiological sampling and laboratory dispatch, comprehensive waste control protocols, removal of potentially contaminated biological material including affected soil, feral chicken control operations and targeted culling measures as determined necessary by agricultural and health authorities. Affected farmers are being contacted directly, biosecurity protocols have been established at the site and all activities are being conducted under public health oversight.

Acting Minister in the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure Honourable Nickolas DaCosta stated, “Our government is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and has mobilised all necessary resources to contain and manage this situation swiftly. The health and safety of all Caymanians and our agricultural sector is our top priority and we are working across agencies to ensure a coordinated response. I want to encourage farmers and agricultural workers to maintain heightened surveillance of their animals over the coming days and report any unusual illness or mortality immediately to the Department of Agriculture. Proper biosecurity practices including limiting visitor access to farms, maintaining clean equipment and monitoring bird health remain our strongest defence. By working together and remaining vigilant, we can contain this effectively.”

Avian influenza, which is caused by the influenza A virus, is an infectious disease that primarily affects birds.  While transmission of avian influenza from birds to humans can occur, such transmission requires close contact with infected birds.

“It is important for the general public to know that the risk of avian influenza to the general population remains low,” explains Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hilary Wolf.  “That said, members of the public should keep their distance from wild birds- including feral chickens- and avoid contact with any sick or dead wild animals.”

While there are currently no confirmed cases of avian influenza in humans in the Cayman Islands, symptoms of avian flu in humans usually start 4 to 6 days after being in contact with an infected bird.  Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and include high temperature, cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, wheezing and sneezing, shortness of breath, and red, irritated eyes (conjunctivitis).

“All individuals who may have been exposed to the infected animals have been started in prophylaxis antiviral medication,” added Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez.  “The Cayman Islands Molecular Biology Laboratory has the capacity to test for the avian flu virus and provide a report in less than 24 hours, so the public should rest assured that we are on top of the situation.”

“This situation highlights the importance of not only recognising the interconnectedness between human, animal and environmental health, but also working collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcome for all,” stated Minister of Health, Environment and Sustainability, Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks.  “As our teams will continue their collaborative work to address this issue, I want to ask our community to do its part.  Please make sure you are practicing basic hygiene, such as handwashing, and you’re continuing to properly prepare and cook poultry, meat and eggs before consuming them.  As we enter the festive season, and with Cayman thanksgiving around the corner, let’s work together to keep our families and our communities safe.”

The Cayman Islands Government, through the work of multiple departments and agencies, ensures that both local and imported foods that are sold within local markets are safe as these undergo a robust licensing, inspection, approval, testing and monitoring programme from source to consumption.   “The Department of Environmental Health ensures that all foods that are deemed unfit for human consumption are condemned and destroyed,” explained Acting Director of DEH, Mr. Michael Haworth.  “As one of the leading agencies in the area of food safety,  DEH officers across the islands are tasked with this disposal process to ensure they do not re-enter the food chain.”

Key recommendations:

• Avoid contact with sick or dead animals: Do not touch infected poultry, wild birds, or mammals, or environments contaminated by their feces.
• Practice good hygiene: Wash hands frequently, especially after contact with animals or potentially contaminated surfaces.
• Ensure food safety: Consume only properly cooked poultry and pasteurised milk and dairy products, as thorough cooking (reaching internal temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius) and pasteurisation effectively kill the virus.  Ensure that juices from cooked meats are clear, not pink.  Refrain from consuming raw eggs.
• Seek medical attention if symptomatic: If you develop symptoms like fever, cough, or conjunctivitis after potential exposure to infected animals, contact the Public Health department at 244 2889, 244 2621 or 244 2561.

Updates on the situation will be provided to the public through official government channels. Anyone with concerns or information related to this matter is encouraged to contact the Department of Agriculture at (345) 916-7146.